The Legislative Process & How Advocacy Fits A Physical Therapy - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

A Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association The Legislative Process & How Advocacy Fits A Physical Therapy Advocacy in Action Microlearning

Objectives • Describe the process for how a bill is developed and becomes a law in PA • Discuss how advocacy fits into the legislative process A Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association

Vocabulary • General Assembly – refers to both the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the Pennsylvania Senate • Chamber – refers to only one of the two (House or Senate) • Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore – presiding officers of their respective chambers A Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association

Introduction of a Bill • Legislator(s) submits idea for a bill to the Legislative Reference Bureau • Bill filed for introduction • In the House: filed with Chief Clerk of the House, given it to Speaker of the House • In the Senate: filed with the Secretary/Parliamentarian of the Senate, given to President Pro Tempore of the Senate A Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association

Bill Sponsorship • The primary legislator to introduce a bill in the Pennsylvania General Assembly is the Prime Sponsor • Bills generally have numerous Cosponsors who add their name in support of the bill • Greater number of cosponsors equals more support and more likely passage of bill • Cosponsors can be added prior to the drafting of the bill and throughout the legislative process A Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association

Referral to Committee • Bill is referred to a standing committee • May be referred to sub-committee • Examples of committees for bills related to PT: • Professional Licensure (House) • Insurance (House) • Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure (Senate) • Banking & Insurance (Senate) A Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association

Responsibilities of Committee • Role of committee is to review and prepare bills to be reported to their respective chamber • May hold public hearings • Possible actions of committee: • Report to the floor as committed (i.e. without change) • Report to the floor as amended • Refer the bill to another committee • Take no action on the bill A Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association

Consideration of Bills • Each bill is considered on 3 different days in each chamber before a vote on its final passage • First Consideration: bill is reported from committee to the full Chamber • *bills are NOT subject to amendment, debate, or vote in this stage • Second Consideration: bill subject to debate & amendment • Third Consideration: final debate & passage of the bill A Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association

Movement Between Chambers • After passing the vote in the initial Chamber, a bill is then sent to the other Chamber • Similar process with committee review & three considerations on the Floor • If amendments are added, the bill must return to the Chamber in which it originated for a vote. • Signed by Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate A Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association

After Passing Both Chambers • Bill sent to the Governor • Approve & sign  bill becomes law • Veto  bill returns to its house of origin • General Assembly can pass with two-thirds vote • No action  bill automatically becomes law • After 10 days if General Assembly still in session • After 30 days if General Assembly adjourned A Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association

Where Do I Come in as an Advocate? • Get to know your legislator! • Recommending legislation to your legislator • Bills needing co-sponsors • Bills in committees • Advocating to committee member • Attending public hearing • Bills on the floor • Senate vs House A Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association

Resources • The Biography of a Bill • Making Law in PA A Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association

A Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association Listen to upcoming PPTA advocacy webinars to learn more about the advocacy process & how you can get involved. Please email office@ppta-hq.org with any questions or concerns.